Blagojevich appointment seen as insult

Wednesday

Dec 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2008 at 8:43 AM

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich created a new distraction for his state by making an appointment to the U.S. Senate even while he faces federal corruption charges for, in part, allegedly trying to sell the very seat he now is trying to fill.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich created a new distraction for his state by making an appointment to the U.S. Senate even while he faces federal corruption charges for, in part, allegedly trying to sell the very seat he now is trying to fill.

Blagojevich tapped former state attorney general Roland Burris for the seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, thrusting the 71-year-old political veteran back in the spotlight and immediately in a corner.

The Illinois secretary of state said he won’t certify the appointment of Burris, the lieutenant governor called the selection an insult, Senate Democrats won’t seat him and even the president-elect was cold to the nomination.

“We believe in clean government, and Rod Blagojevich has unclean hands,” said Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who called Blagojevich’s actions an “insult to the people of Illinois.”

Blagojevich repeatedly sought to distance his surprise selection from his own woes.

“Please don’t allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man,” the governor said Tuesday, turning to the smiling Burris standing by his side. “This is about Roland Burris as a U.S. senator, not about the governor who made the appointment.”

For his part, Burris said he was “humbled to have the opportunity” and promised citizens he would “uphold the integrity of the office and ask for their continued confidence in me.”

The choice injected race into the drama surrounding the Democratic governor. Burris, the first African-American elected to major statewide office in Illinois, would replace Obama, who had been the Senate’s only black member.

Democratic state Rep. Monique Davis of Chicago, a member of an impeachment committee considering Blagojevich’s fate, said Burris’ appointment will have no bearing on its decision.

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